Solid Earth Studio Opens in Wilmington with 10 Wheels

Solid Earth Studio opened its doors at 225 N. Market St. in downtown Wilmington. The new business provides pottery classes, workshops, and independent studio space for the local arts community. A ribbon cutting marked the launch on Oct. 23.

Samara Weaver and Dave MacNeill lead the operation. Weaver is an architectural designer and artist, while MacNeill works as a photographer and videographer. The 1,200-square-foot facility houses 10 pottery wheels and a dedicated area for hand-building clay.

The studio offers several types of engagement for customers. Options include individual classes, experiences designed for couples, and eight-week courses for those wanting to develop their skills over a longer period. Memberships are also available for experienced ceramic makers who need independent workspace access.

Membership grants holders use of the workspace, studio glazes, and kiln firings during open studio hours. The studio encourages beginners and experienced makers alike to visit. Weaver emphasizes the importance of the creative process over the final result.

Weaver stated, “Pottery is all about process.” She encourages students to accept mistakes as part of learning. She noted, “The love of the process directly leads to the creation of beautiful things, rather than the other way around.”

Weaver has exhibited her work at The Delaware Contemporary, the Delaware Art Museum, Winterthur, and Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Christine Fischer, former board vice chair of The Delaware Contemporary and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Delaware, commented on Weaver’s background. Fischer said, “Samara Weaver is a rare find: a ceramic artist whose work is creatively significant and whose entrepreneurial energy makes it accessible to everyone.”

Fischer added, “For Wilmington, a studio of this caliber is a true gift.” The studio’s approach focuses on slowing down and paying attention to the task at hand. It offers a tactile alternative to screen time for residents in the downtown area.